Evening - Sunday
Opening
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
O God, cleanse me a sinner. (Prostration)
O Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner. (Prostration)
O Father, be gracious unto my sins and have mercy on me. (Prostration)
O thou who has fashioned me, have mercy on me. Because I have sinned beyond measure, please forgive me.(Prostration)
O most Holy Theotokos, save me, the sinner.(Prostration)
O angel of God, my guardian, pray for me, the sinner.(Prostration)
All holy saints pray to God for me the sinner.(Prostration)
Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to Thee our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth (cross) who is everywhere present and fills all things, treasury of good things and giver of life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all impurities and save our souls O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us (reverence) (3x)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
O Most Holy Trinity (cross) have mercy on us. O Lord blot out our sins, O Master pardon our transgressions, O Holy One visit and heal our infirmites for Thy name’s sake.
Lord have mercy (3x)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
Our Father, who art in the heavens (cross), hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, (cross)now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Lord have mercy. (x12)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
O come let us worship God our King. (reverence)
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God. (reverence)
O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself our King and God. (reverence).
Psalm 50
Have mercy on my O God, according to Your great mercy;
and according to the abundance of Your compassions blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin,.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You only have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight
That You will be justified in Your words and prevail when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities and in sins my mother bore me.
Behold, You love truth, You showed me the unknown and hidden things of Your wisdom.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I will be cleansed.
You shall wash me and I will be made whiter than snow.
You shall make me hear joy and gladness;
My bones that were broken will greatly rejoice.
Turn Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and with a governing spirit establish me.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation,
And my tongue will rejoice in Your righteousness.
You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You had desired sacrifice, I would give it.
You will not be please with whole-burnt offerings.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You will be please with a sacrifice of righteousness, of oblations and whole-burnt offerings.
Then they shall offer bullocks on Your altar.
Psalm 69
O God, make haste to help me. May those who seek my soul be dishonored and shamed;
May those who plot evils against me be turned back and disgraced;
May those be turned back immediately who shame me, saying “Well done! Well done!”
May all who seek You greatly rejoice and be glad in You,
And let those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be magnified.:
But I am poor and needy; God, help me.
You are my helper and deliverer, O Lord; do not delay.
Psalm 142
O Lord, hear my prayer; Give ear to my supplication in Your truth;
Answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgement with Your servant,
For no one living shall become righteous in Your sight.
For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground;
He caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead,
And my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me.
I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works;
I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You;
My soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. (pause)
Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me;
Turn not your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You;
Make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge.
Teach me to do your Will, for you are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness.
For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction.
In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant.
Lesser Doxology, for the evening
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men!
We praise You! We bless You! We worship You!
We glorify You and give thanks to You for Your great glory!
O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty!
O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit!
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!
You, Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer!
You, Who sit on the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us!
For You alone are holy, and You alone are Lord. You alone, O Lord Jesus Christ, are most high in the glory of God the Father! Amen!
I will give thanks to You every night and praise Your Name for ever and ever.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation! I said, “Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You!”
Lord, I flee to You, Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For with You is the fountain of Life, and in Your light shall we see light. Continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever. Amen.
Let Your mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Master; make me to understand Your commandments.
Blessed are You, O Holy One; enlighten me with your precepts.
Your mercy endures forever, O Lord! Do not despise the works of your hands!
To You belongs worship, to You belongs praise, to You belongs glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
The Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, (cross) maker of heaven and earth and all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God (cross), the Only-begotten, begotten by the Father before all ages;
Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten and not made, of one essence with the Father by whom all things were made;
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from the heavens and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit (cross) and the Virgin Mary and became man; and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into the heavens and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end; and in the Holy Spirit (cross), the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets; and in One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Optina - 1/3 of the Morning portion
Click to reveal Optina Rule Segments
Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner. (100 times, first 10 with prostration, next 20 with reverences, prostration on the last one, cross on all)
Prayer to the Theotokos
My holy Lady Theotokos, through Your holy and all powerful prayers, banish from me, Your humble and unworthy servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flames of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from many cruel memories and deeds and free me from all their evil effects. For blessed are you by all generations, and glorified is Your most honorable name unto the ages of ages, amen. (Prostration)
to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Most Holy Theotokos, save me, the sinner. (33 times, first 3 with prostration, next 7 with reverences, prostration on the last one, cross on all)
Prayer to the Theotokos
My holy Lady Theotokos, through Your holy and all powerful prayers, banish from me, Your humble and unworthy servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flames of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from many cruel memories and deeds and free me from all their evil effects. For blessed are you by all generations, and glorified is Your most honorable name unto the ages of ages, amen. (Prostration)
to the Holy Guardian Angel
O holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me the sinner (17 times, first 2 with prostrations, next 3 with reverences, prostration on the last one, cross on all)
Prayer to the Theotokos
My holy Lady Theotokos, through Your holy and all powerful prayers, banish from me, Your humble and unworthy servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flames of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from many cruel memories and deeds and free me from all their evil effects. For blessed are you by all generations, and glorified is Your most honorable name unto the ages of ages, amen. (Prostration)
to all Saints
All holy saints pray to God for me, the sinner (17 times, first 2 with prostrations, next 3 with reverences, prostration on the last one, cross on all)
Prayer to the Theotokos
My holy Lady Theotokos, through Your holy and all powerful prayers, banish from me, Your humble and unworthy servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And quench the flames of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and deliver me from many cruel memories and deeds and free me from all their evil effects. For blessed are you by all generations, and glorified is Your most honorable name unto the ages of ages, amen. (Prostration)
It is truly meet to bless You, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos Thee do we magnify.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us (reverence) (3x)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
Our Father, who art in the heavens (cross), hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, (cross)now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
For Sunday
Supreme Commanders of the Heavenly Hosts, we unworthy ones implore you that by your supplications you will encircle us with the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, and guard us who fall down before you and fervently cry: Deliver us from dangers since you are the Marshalls of the Hosts on high.
Sunday through Thursday
O God of our fathers, Who ever deals with us according to Your kindness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but through their intercessions guide our life in peace.
Adorned in the blood of Your martyrs throughout all the world, as in purple and fine linen, Your Church, through them, cries unto You, O Christ God: Send down Your compassions upon Your people; grant peace to Your community, and to our souls great mercy.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Your servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions, O Lord, of all the saints and the Theotokos, grant us Your peace, and have mercy on us, as You alone are compassionate.
Lord have mercy (x40)
The Prayer of the Hours
You Who at all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth, are worshipped and glorified, O Christ God, Who is long-suffering, plenteous in mercy, most compassionate, Who loves the righteous and has mercy on sinners, Who calls all to salvation through the promise of good things to come: Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour, and guide our life toward Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, make chaste our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from every sorrow, evil, and pain. Compass us about with Your holy angels, that, guarded and guided by their array, we may attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory; for blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy (x3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos Thee do we magnify.
In the name of the Lord, bless.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
The Supplicatory Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O undefiled, untainted, uncorrupted, most pure, chaste Virgin, Bride of God and Sovereign Lady, who did unite the Word of God unto mankind through your most glorious birthgiving, and has linked the apostate nature of our race with the heavenly; who is the only hope of the hopeless, and the helper of the struggling, the ever-ready protection of them that hastens to you, and the refuge of all Christians: Do not shrink with loathing from me, a sinner, defiled, who with polluted thoughts, words, and deeds have made myself utterly unprofitable, and through slothfulness of mind have become a slave to the pleasures of life. But as the Mother of God Who loves mankind, show your love for mankind and mercifully have compassion upon me, a sinner and prodigal, and accept my supplication which is offered to you out of my defiled mouth, and making use of your motherly boldness, entreat your Son and our Master and Lord that He may be pleased to open for me the bowels of His loving-kindness and graciousness to mankind, and, disregarding my numberless offences, will turn me back to repentance, and show me to be a tried worker of His precepts. And be ever present to me as merciful, compassionate, and well-disposed; in the present life be a fervent intercessor and helper, repelling the assaults of adversaries and guiding me to salvation, and at the time of my departure taking care of my miserable soul, and driving far away from it the dark countenances of evil demons; lastly, at the dreadful day of judgment delivering me from torment eternal and showing me to be an heir of the ineffable glory of your Son and our God; all of which may I attain, O my Sovereign Lady, most holy Theotokos, in virtue of your intercession and protection, through the grace and love to mankind of your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ; to Whom is due all glory, honor, and worship, together with His unoriginate Father, and His Most-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ, by Antiochus the monk
And grant to us, O Master, in the coming sleep, rest for body and soul, and preserve us from the gloomy slumber of sin, and from every dark and nocturnal sensuality. Subdue the impulses of passions, extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one that are cunningly hurled against us, assuage the rebellions of our flesh, and every earthly and fleshly subtlety of ours, lull to sleep. And grant unto us, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thought, a sober heart, a sleep gentle and free from every satanic illusion. Raise us up at the time of prayer firmly grounded in Your precepts, and keeping steadfastly within us the memory of Your judgements. All the night long grant us a doxology, that we my hymn and bless and glorify Your most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers on approaching sleep
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us;
For at a loss for any defense, this prayer do we sinners offer unto You as Master:
Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages amen (reverence).
Lord have mercy on us, for we have hoped in You, be not angry with us greatly, neither remember our iniquities; but look upon us now as You are compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for You are our God, and we Your people, are all the works of Your hands, and we call upon Your name.
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion:
The door of compassion open unto us, O blessed Theotokos, for hoping in you, let us not perish; through you may we be delivered from adversities, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.
Lord have mercy (x12)
Prayer 1, of St. Macarius the Great
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who has vouchsafed me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse O Lord, my lowly soul of all impurity of flesh and spirit, and grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace; that, rising from my lowly bed, I may please Your most holy name all the days of my life, and thwart the enemies, fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires which defile me. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit both now and ever unto ages of ages. Amen
Prayer2, of St. Antiochus
O Ruler of all, Word of the Father, O Jesus Christ, You Who are perfect: For the sake of the plenitude of Your mercy, never depart from me, but always remain in me Your servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, deliver me not over to the sedition of the serpent, and leave me not to the will of Satan, for the seed of corruption is in me. But do Thou, O Lord, worshipful God, holy King, Jesus Christ, as I sleep, guard me by the Unwaning Light, Your Holy Spirit, by Whom You did sanctify Your disciples. O Lord, grant me, Your unworthy servant, Your salvation upon my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of the understanding of Your Holy Gospel, my soul with the love of Your Cross, my heart with the purity of Your word, my body with Your passionless Passion. Keep my thought in Your humility, and raise me up at the proper time for Your glorification. For most glorified are You, together with Your unoriginate Father, and the Most-holy Spirit, unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer 3, to the Holy Spirit
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, show compassion and have mercy on me Your sinful servant, and loose me from my unworthiness, and forgive all wherein I have sinned against You today as a man, and not only as a man, but even worse than a beast, my sins voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, whether from youth and from evil suggestion, or whether from brazenness and despondency. If I have sworn by Your name, or blasphemed it in my thought; or reproached anyone, or slandered anyone in my anger, or grieved anyone, or have become angry about anything; or have lied, or slept needlessly, or if a beggar has come to me and I disdained him; or if I have grieved my brother, or have quarreled, or have condemned anyone; or if I have been boastful, or prideful, or angry; if, as I stood at prayer, my mind has been distracted by the wiles of this world, or by thoughts of depravity; if I have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or laughed frivolously; if I have thought evil, or seen the beauty of another and been wounded thereby in my heart; if I have said improper things, or derided my brother’s sin when my own sins are countless; if I have been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I do not remember, for all of this and more than this have I done: have mercy, O Master my Creator, on my Your downcast and unworthy servant, and loose me, and remit, and forgive me, for You are good and the Lover of mankind, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, and hymn, and glorify Your most honorable name, together with the Father and His Only-begotten Son, now and ever and unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer 4, of St. Macarius the Great
What shall I offer You, or what shall I give You, O greatly-gifted, immortal King, O compassionate Lord who loves mankind? For though I have been slothful in pleasing You, and have done nothing good, You have led me to the close of this day that is past, establishing the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful to me, a sinner, bereft of every good deed, raise up my fallen soul which has become defiled by countless sins, and take away from me every evil thought of this visible life. Forgive my sins, O Only Sinless One, in which I have sinned against You today, known or unknown, in word, and deed, and thought, and in all my senses. Do Yourself protect and guard me from every opposing circumstance, by Your Divine authority and power, and inexpressible love for mankind. Blot out, O God, blot out the multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the net of the evil one, and save my passionate soul, and overshadow me with the light of Your countenance when You shall come in glory; and cause me, uncondemned now, to sleep a dreamless sleep, and keep Your servant untroubled by thoughts, and drive away from me all satanic deeds; and enlighten for me the eyes of my heart with understanding, lest I sleep unto death. And send me an angel of peace, a guardian and guide of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies; that, rising from my bed, I may offer You prayers of thanksgiving. Yea, O Lord, hearken unto me, Your sinful and wretched servant, in confession and conscience; grant me, when I arise, to be instructed by Your sayings; and through Your angels cause demonic despondency to be driven far from me: that I may bless Your holy name, and glorify and extol the most pure Theotokos Mary, whom You have given to us sinners as a protectress, and accept her who prays for us. For I know that she exemplifies Your love for mankind, and prays for us without ceasing. Through her protection, and the sign of the precious Cross, and for the sake of all Your saints, preserve my wretched soul, O Jesus Christ our God: for You are most holy, and glorious for ever. Amen.
Prayer 5
O Lord our God, as You are good and the Lover of mankind, forgive me wherein I have sinned today in word, deed, and thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep; send Your guardian angel to protect and keep me from all evil. For You are the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and unto You do we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 6
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose name we invoke above every name, grant us, as we go to sleep, relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all dreams and dark pleasures; stop the onslaught of the passions and quench the burnings that arise in the flesh. Grant us to live chastely in deed and word, that we may obtain a virtuous life, and not fall away from Your promised blessings; for blessed are You forever. Amen
Prayer 7, of St. John Chrysostom
O Lord, deprive me not of Your heavenly good things.
O Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments.
O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.
O Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, faintheartedness, and stony insensibility.
O Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire has darkened.
O Lord, as a man I have sinned, but do Thou as the compassionate God, have mercy on me, seeing the infirmity of my soul.
O Lord, send Your grace to my help, that I may glorify Your holy name.
O Lord Jesus Christ, write me Your servant in the Book of Live, and grant me a good end.
O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in Your sight, yet grant me by Your grace to make a good beginning.
O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Your grace.
O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me Your sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Your kingdom. Amen.
O Lord, accept me in penitence.
O Lord, forsake me not.
O Lord, lead me not into temptation.
O Lord, grant me good thoughts.
O Lord, grant me tears and remembrance of death and compunction.
O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins.
O Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience.
O Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness.
O Lord, implant in me the root of good, Your fear in my heart.
O Lord, vouchsafe me to love You with all my soul and thoughts, and in all things to do Your will.
O Lord, protect me from evil men, and passions, and demons, and from every other unseemly thing.
O Lord, You know that You do as You will; Your will be done also in me a sinner; for blessed are You unto the ages. Amen.
Prayer 8, to our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of Your most honorable Mother, and your bodiless angels, Your Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist, the God-inspired apostles, the radiant and victorious martyrs, the holy and God-bearing fathers, and through the intercessions of all the saints, deliver me from the besetting presence of the demons. Yea, my Lord and Creator, Who desires not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant conversion also to me, wretched and unworthy; rescue me from the mouth of the pernicious serpent, who is ravening to devour and take me down to hades alive. Yea, my Lord, my Comfort, Who for my miserable sake was clothed in corruptible flesh, draw me out of misery, and grant comfort to my miserable soul. Implant in my heart to fulfill Your commandments, and to forsake evil deeds, and to obtain Your blessings, for in You, O Lord, have I hoped, save me. Amen.
Prayer 9, to the Most Holy Theotokos
O good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary, do pour out the mercy of Your Son and our God upon my passionate soul, and by your intercessions guide me to good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish, and attain paradise through you, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone are pure and blessed.
Prayer 10, to the Holy Guardian Angel
O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of my enemy, lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.
The Kontakion to the Theotokos
To you, the Champion Leader, we your servants dedicate a feast of victory and thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos; but as you are one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can be do deliver us so that we may cry to you: Rejoice, thou Bride Unwedded!
Most glorious, Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, present our prayer to your Son and our God, that through you He may save our souls.
All my hope I place in you, O Mother of God: keep me under your protection.
O Virgin Theotokos, disdain not me a sinner, needing your help and your protection, and have mercy on me for my soul has hoped in you.
The Prayer of St.Joannicius
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit: O Holy Trinity, glory to You.
Compline resumed
Glory to You, O Christ God, our hope, glory to You. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy (x3)
Lord, bless.
May Christ our God, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother and of all the saints, have mercy on us and
save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
O Lord, Lover of mankind, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good to those who do good. Grant our brethren and kindred their saving petitions and life eternal; visit the infirm and grant them healing. Guide those at sea. Journey with those who travel. Help Orthodox Christians to struggle. To those who serve and are kind to us, grant remission of sins. On those who have charged us, the unworthy, to pray for them, have mercy according to Your great mercy. Remember, O Lord, our fathers and brethren departed before us, and grant them rest where the light of Your countenance shall visit them. Remember, Or Lord, our brethren in captivity, and deliver them from every misfortune. Remember, O Lord, those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches, and grant them their saving petitions and life eternal. Remember also, O Lord, us Your lowly and sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Your knowledge, and guide us in the way of Your commandments; through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and of all Your saints, for blessed are You unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Private Bedtime Prayers
A Prayer of St. John Damascus
point at the bed
O Master, Lover of mankind, is this bed to be my coffin, or will You enlighten my wretched soul for another day?
Behold, the coffin lies before me, behold, death confronts me. I fear, O Lord, Your judgement and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger You, and Your most pure Mother, and all the Heavenly Hosts, and my holy guardian angel. I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Your love for mankind, but am worthy of every condemnation and torment. But, O Lord, whether I will it or not, save me. For to save a righteous man is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy of Your mercy. But on me, a sinner, show the wonder of Your mercy; in this reveal Your love for mankind, lest my wickedness prevail over Your ineffable goodness and merciful kindness; and order my life as You will.
Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest at any time I sleep unto death, lest at any time my enemy says: I have prevailed against him,
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
By my soul’s helper, O God, for I pass through the midst of many snares; deliver me out of them, and save me, O Good One, for You are the Lover of mankind.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion:
The most glorious Mother of God, more holy than the holy angels, let us hymn unceasingly with our hearts and mouths, confessing her to be the Theotokos, for truly she gave birth to God incarnate for us, and prays unceasingly for our souls.
Kiss your Cross, and make the sign of the Cross (with the Cross) from the head to the foot of the bed, and likewise from side to side, while saying the Prayer to the Precious Cross:
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish; as wax melts before the fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of them that love God and who sign themselves with the sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Rejoice, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for You drive away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was crucified on You, Who went down to hades and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us You , His precious Cross, for the driving away of every adversary. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me together with the holy Lady Virgin Theotokos, and with all the saints, unto the ages. Amen.
Home stretch
Compass me about, O Lord, with the power of Your precious and life-giving Cross and preserve me from every evil. Remit, pardon, forgive, O God, our offences, both voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge and ignorance, by day and by night, in mind and thought, forgive us all things, for You are good and the lover of mankind.
Final supplications to my Lord Jesus Christ. Gratitude for the day, for my gifts, for moving forward towards the Church and salvation
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commit my spirit. Do Thou bless me, do Thou have mercy on me, and grant me life eternal. Amen.